Two-Strike Baseball and Modified Scoring System

ABSTRACT

The invention is an improved baseball game which reduces the time of play by having the participants start each at bat with two balls and two strikes, and which replaces the runs scored system of scoring with a scoring system that awards points for particular baseball plays and results. 
     By simultaneously modifying the baseball scoring system to a system that awards points for particular plays, particular results and sportsmanship, the invention will provide each player with a greater opportunity to influence the outcome of a game. Another object and advantage of the point system is that by rewarding particular baseball play, a greater emphasis will be placed on executing fundamental baseball skills. 
     In making both these changes simultaneously as one package, the invention has the object and advantage of creating a new and improved version of the traditional baseball game.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the sport of baseball and more particularly to an improved game and scoring system wherein the pace of play and scoring opportunities are significantly increased.

2. Prior Art

Baseball has been an integral component of American culture for more than a century.

While baseball has gained immense popularity since its inception, the popularity of the sport has ebbed. The decline in favor of more exciting games is believed to be attributable, in part, to the pace and length of baseball games. In a March 2002 CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll, 29% of baseball fans indicated that major league baseball games were too long.

The same criticism can be levied against youth baseball. While baseball games at the Little League, Pony and Colt age groups typically are limited by a rule prohibiting no new inning after 2 hours and no new play after 2 hours and 15 minutes of play, these time limits still require players and their families to devote an inordinate amount of their time to participate in baseball activities. Frequently, players and their families may spend entire weekends at baseball tournaments, where the bulk of time is spent waiting to play, or where the player's involvement in actual playing time is limited to a few innings of fielding and/or a limited number of at bats.

Further, baseball must compete with other sports for field facilities. Local baseball organizations in our communities increasingly compete with other sports, such as softball and soccer, for field locations and playing time. To manage field facilities, many cities and public agencies are turning to corporations, such as Big League Dreams, to manage youth baseball facilities, which they are willing to do on a for-profit basis. The end result is the cost for participating in youth baseball is increasing, all or most costs are shifted to the participants and their families, tournament fees are significant, and increasingly our scarce baseball fields are being rented on an hourly basis. These costs are invariably borne by the participants and their parents through payments or by investing time in fundraising activities.

Youth baseball has followed baseball's traditional rules with little deviation. While there are differences between youth and professional baseball rules, the changes adopted by youth baseball organizations basically are intended to addresses differences in physical size (e.g., different playing field dimensions) and safety precautions (e.g., pitching limitations for youth baseball).

One area of the traditional rules that has not changed at any organizational level is the scoring system. However, as evidenced by how Major League Baseball markets its product to the public and, in turn, how the public views baseball at the Major League level, the traditional runs scored scoring system allows the emphasis to be placed on the game's superstars. Thus, an inordinate amount of attention has been placed on those players who can either score runs by hitting home runs or who can consistently prevent the other team from scoring due to outstanding individual pitching performances. (See, e.g., The Ball: Mark McGwire's Home Run Ball and the Marketing of the American Dream, by Daniel Paisner (Hardcover—Aug. 1, 1999).) While professional baseball is intended to showcase the world's best players in the context of providing entertainment to the ticket-buying public, youth baseball has different purposes, including teaching fundamental baseball skills to prepare players to advance to the next higher level of competition.

Patents have been issued to modify the traditional game of baseball to speed the pace of play. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,918 (2004) is an invention to reduce the time of play by placing two pitching mounds on the traditional baseball field and having two pitchers and two catchers on each team. While maintaining most rules of traditional baseball, this patented invention expands the size of each team to 11 players, and requires two pitchers from one team to pitch sequentially to two batters from the opposing team. There is no indication (i.e., the construction of baseball fields with two mounds) that substantiates this patented invention has impacted traditional baseball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the traditional baseball field.

FIG. 2 shows a specific example of how the traditional rules (e.g., Pony Baseball Rules, Little League Rules, etc.) are modified by the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a specific example of a score sheet that can be used with the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a close up of the score sheet used displayed in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a play-by-play description of the first four inning of a game actually played between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels on Jul. 31, 2005 showing the cumulative runs scored under the traditional scoring system.

FIG. 6 shows a play-by-play description of the first four inning of a game actually played between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels on Jul. 31, 2005 using the invention's points scoring system.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2.

A baseball-type game played on a traditional playing field as illustrated in FIG. 1 including first, second, and third bases, home plate, an infield and an outfield. This game is carried out in accordance with the traditional rules of baseball game (e.g., Little League Baseball Rules, Pony Baseball Rules, etc.) with two differences. First, all batters come to the plate with 2 strikes and 2 balls. Second, the runs scored scoring system is replaced by a point system that awards points for offensive plays, defensive plays and sportsmanship.

The following describes the point scoring system illustrated in FIG. 3:

-   -   a. For offensive plays, one single point is awarded to the team         at bat whenever a player scores a run, walks, is hit by a pitch,         hits a single base hit, or when a player advances without         scoring due to a balk. Two points are awarded to the team at bat         whenever a player hits a double or a runner scores as a result         of a balk. Three points are awarded to the team at bat whenever         there is a triple, and four points are awarded for each home         run.     -   b. For defensive plays, one point is awarded to the team on the         field (defensive team) for each strikeout, each pick-off by the         pitcher, for each pick-off by the catcher, for each player that         is called out trying to steal a base, for each time the         offensive team is retired in order (“3 Up 3 Down”), for each         outfield assist, and if there is a put out before the third out         involving the lead runner. Two points will be awarded to the         defensive team for each double-play or if multiple assists         result in an out. Five points are awarded for triple plays.     -   c. If any player or coach is ejected from the game, the opposing         team receives five points.

Most league and tournament baseball games are officially recorded on a score sheet. FIG. 3 is a scoring sheet for use to officially record games using the invention.

FIG. 4 is a close up of the score sheet that is used for the invention as described in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides a play-by-play illustration of how the traditional scoring system works. This illustration is limited to four innings of a Major League game that actually occurred between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels on Jul. 31, 2005. At the end of four innings, the score is 3-1 in favor of the Angels. Under the traditional run scores method of scoring, these four innings had two scoring plays that resulted from two home runs. There was a solo home run by Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees in the bottom of the third inning, which led to one run for the Yankees. The other scoring play was a fourth inning three-run homer by the Los Angeles Angels' Bengie Molina, which resulted in the 3-1 lead for the Angels after four innings.

FIG. 6 takes the same 4 innings illustrated in FIG. 5, but uses the invention's point scoring system in lieu of the runs scored scoring system. Thus, FIG. 6 provides a play-by-play illustration of how the points scoring system works. The point total after four innings is 19 to 16 in favor of the Angels. FIG. 6 identifies twenty-two (22) scoring plays, eleven by each team. Of the eleven scoring plays by the Angels, leading to 19 points, seven were for offensive plays and four for defensive plays. The Yankees scored its 16 points on five offensive plays and six defensive plays. Here is a summary of the scoring plays:

Five scoring plays involving players hitting singles.

Two scoring plays involving players receiving walks.

Three scoring plays involving players stealing bases.

One scoring play involving players being thrown out attempting to steal a base.

One scoring play involving runners scoring.

Two scoring plays involving players hitting home runs.

One scoring play involving double plays.

Two scoring plays involving pitchers getting 3 Up 3 Down

Seven scoring plays involving strikeouts.

The invention contemplates there are various possibilities with regard to how points are awarded beyond what is illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 6. For example, successfully executing a hit and run play could be awarded a points. Or in the area of sportsmanship, the opposing team could be awarded a point if a player throws a bat, glove or batting helmet in anger while on the playing field.

Advantages

From the description above, a number of advantages become evident:

-   -   a. The pace of playing a baseball game is considerably sped up         by the invention. For every plate appearance by a batter, four         pitches have been eliminated, thereby effectively cutting         playing time in half. As noted above, this provides advantages         to players, coaches, fans, parents and family members.     -   b. By leaving each batter with just one strike, the batter's         concentration must focus on making contact with each pitch. The         best way to make contact is to have a fundamentally sound         baseball swing using appropriate hitting mechanics and the         appropriate mental approach (e.g., “protecting the plate”,         “two-strike drill”). Thus, the invention places an emphasis on         adopting the proper mental approach and executing fundamental         baseball skills.     -   c. The pitcher, who under the invention must face each batter         with a starting batting count of two balls and two strikes, must         concentrate on throwing quality pitches. If the pitcher walks         batters, the opposing team will earn points. Conversely, the         pitcher can earn points by striking out players or retiring the         batters in order (i.e., “3 Up 3 Down”). The invention thus         places pitches in a situation where they must throw quality         pitches. Consequently, as with the batters, the invention         encourages pitchers to use the appropriate mechanics and proper         mental approach.     -   d. The invention will dramatically cut down on the number of         pitches thrown in a game. For example, if in a high-school game         a pitcher threw 3 strikes to the minimum number of batters for         seven innings, there will be 63 strikes thrown. Under the         invention, that total has been reduced to just 21 strikes. By         eliminating the need to throw two-thirds of the strikes needed         in any baseball game, the invention protects pitchers' arms.     -   e. By providing additional scoring opportunities, the invention         substantially increases the number of participating players who         have a measurable impact on the score of the game and thus its         outcome. As illustrated by the real-life facts portrayed in         FIGS. 4 and 5, scoring opportunities can increase ten-fold under         the invention.     -   f. By awarding points for executing baseball plays such as         bunting, stealing, and getting the lead runner out, the         invention encourages the execution of skills that are frequently         over-looked by players and coaches. By awarding points         concerning all aspects of playing baseball, including         sportsmanship, the invention encourages the development of more         complete players.

Conclusion Ramifications and Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see that the invention is an improved baseball game which reduces the time of play by having the participants start each at bat with two balls and two strikes, and which replaces the runs scored system of scoring with a scoring system that awards points for executing particular baseball plays and results.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment bur as merely providing illustrations of the some of the presently preferred embodiments. 

I claim:
 1. A baseball-type game played on a playing field including first, second, and third bases, home plate, an infield and an outfield, said game being carried out in accordance with traditional rules of baseball game play including rules defining strikes, balls, runs and outs, said traditional rules of game play being modified such that every player at bat starts each at bat with a count of two balls and two strikes as a method for reducing the duration of playing time in a competitive baseball game, and where the runs scored scoring system is replaced by a points scoring system, which awards points for offensive plays, defensive plays and sportsmanship.
 2. The game of claim 1 wherein said traditional rules of baseball game play comprise the Rules of Baseball promulgated by the American Baseball League, National Baseball League, Major League Baseball, or any other professional baseball league.
 3. The game of claim 1 wherein said traditional rules of baseball game play comprise the Rules of Baseball promulgated by the NCAA or NFHS.
 4. The game of claim 1 wherein said traditional rules of baseball game play comprise the Rules of Baseball promulgated by Little League Baseball, Colt Baseball, Pony Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, Dixie Baseball or any other your baseball organization.
 6. The game of claim 1 carried out using a regulation-sized baseball.
 7. The game of claim 1 carried out using a regulation-sized softball. 